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History of TPC Deere Run

TPC Deere Run is situated on a piece of property with a tremendous tale to tell. The land’s past includes Native American settlements, farming, coal mining, and most recently – one of the top horse and cattle breeding programs in the country. Remarkably, John Deere, Quad City, and property history all intersect at this 385-acre parcel of land.

It is hard not to be moved by the fact that Erskine Wilson was building his stone house and farm on this land at the very same time a man living 70 miles upstream named John Deere was starting his plow company, at the very same time the communities that would become the Quad Cities were incorporating. Participants in the course design felt that it was important for every visitor to understand the historical significance of this piece of ground – and so they named each hole on the course after the land’s rich heritage.

For example, the signature hole at the TPC Deere Run is the 16th and is named “Mother Earth.” Views like the ones from the 16th tee represent the types of features that have drawn people to this property for centuries. Archeological evidence indicates Native Americans settled and lived here as far back as 5,000 years ago. To Native Americans, the land is a living being called Mother Earth, who cares for all her children by providing food, shelter, beauty and a place for contest and play.

The early inhabitants enjoyed many sporting activities. Games ranged from lacrosse, which was played in the summer on the large grassy expanses on the property, to snow snake races in the winter where a crooked stick called the “snake” was thrown down a steep hill as each player attempted to send his snake the farthest. The 16th hole is dedicated to these early inhabitants, to pay tribute to the spirit of respect and competition they first brought to these very grounds